I visited with Angel Ramos, pastor at Community Presbyterian Church in Clewiston on November 7. We talked about the damages to the community and the needs of the people. The migrant community has been especially hard hit with homes destroyed, or badly damaged and jobs cut back or eliminated due to the ravages of "Wilma". One of the elementary schools was so badly damaged that it has been closed and the children transfered to one of two other elementary schools. The result is that class size has increased to about 40 and the children attend on split sessions, with one group going to school from 7:00AM until 12:00 and the other from 12:30Pm until 5:30.

Before "Wilma" the population lived in crowded quarters, often with 2 or 3 families sharing a single mobile home. Now many of the homes have been condemned and with no place to go, 3 or 4 families share a damaged home, with leaking roofs and blown out windows, or live in the little space, still habitable in a condemned home. Clothing for children and adolescents is badly needed, baby supplies, diapers, wipes, toddler food and Carnation "Good Start" formula, are necessities that are hard to come by. Food is in short supply: Pinto beans, rice, tortillas, oil, ramen noodles and mac and cheese are prefered. And building materials to make repairs are difficult to find with the closest Home Depot or Lowes in Ft. Myer or Palm Beach. This community is in great need. PDA is on the way, but as much as material goods are needed, they are in need of workers: people to come and assess damages and determine what is needed to make repairs. Once a distribution system is established volunteers will be needed to help man distribution centers , and find ways to bring in building materials. Workers will be needed to actually make the repairs.

Please let the following pictures speak to your heart. Start collecting now, and watch the web site for information on where to take supplies. And how to arrange for a work team to come and help.